ABSTRACT
Water harvesting is defined as “the process of collecting and storing precipitation (rain or snow) for beneficial use from an area that has been treated or modified to increase precipitation runoff.” It is an ancient practice over 9000 years old that is currently being revised as a means of supplying water for domestic use in small households, animal drinking water, and growing crops on small acreages. A relatively small area can provide significant quantities of water if collected and stored. One millimeter of precipitation will yield 1 L of water per square meter. This technique is very effective in areas where there are frequent precipitation events but little or no surface water. Many water harvesting systems are being used around the world, most notably in arid and semiarid, underdeveloped areas where there is plentiful labor. A properly designed and maintained water harvesting system can last for decades.
